Wheel alignment guide for medical equipment and method of use

ABSTRACT

A wheel alignment guide that provides a visual indication of the desired placement of an apparatus. The wheel alignment guide includes a body having an opening disposed therein. The wheel alignment guide is configured to surround a portion of the apparatus, such as a wheel, via the opening. In addition, the wheel alignment guide is adapted to rest on a ground surface, being held in place via a charge, such as an electrostatic charge created by static cling vinyl. A wheel of a medical device is disposed within the opening of the wheel alignment guide after a desired position of the medical device is selected. If the medical device is moved during a medical procedure, the medical device may be repositioned due to the placement of the wheel alignment guide. Accordingly, the wheel alignment guide eliminates the need for inefficient markers and potentially-dangerous adhesives, particularly in an operating room.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This nonprovisional application is a continuation of and claims priorityto nonprovisional application Ser. No. 15/853,296, entitled “WHEELALIGNMENT GUIDE FOR MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND METHOD OF USE,” filed on Dec.22, 2017, by the same inventors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates, generally, to a wheel alignment guide and amethod of use. More specifically, it relates to a wheel alignment guidefor use with medical equipment in an operation room, such that medicalprofessionals can correctly align medical equipment with respect to thepatient's body.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art

It is important to correctly position medical equipment according to theneeds of a medical procedure. For example, a fluoroscopy machine mustalign with a patient at a particular angle to scan a target area. Tocorrectly align with patients having different body types andcharacteristics, equipment often must be repositioned. In addition,during a medical procedure, a medical professional may need to move theequipment away from the patient, thereby allowing unobstructed access tothe patient. The equipment must then be repositioned to be used on thepatient. In the case of a fluoroscopy machine, the angle must match theinitial angle; otherwise, the machine will provide an incorrect scan ofthe target area, which can cause complications to the procedure.

Currently, medical professionals use a variety of indicators to guidemachine realignment. One method of providing a visual indication is tomark the floor with a marker, highlighter, or other writing implement.By marking the floor in such a way, a medical professional can generallyguide a machine to its initial position. However, marking the floor doesnot represent an ideal solution. For example, there is a possibilitythat the mark will be erased during a procedure. In addition, if themachine must be repositioned to accommodate multiple patients, differentmarks will be placed on the floor. The marks are not only aestheticallyunpleasant, but also increase the likelihood that an incorrect mark willbe chosen.

Another method of providing a visual indication is to use an adhesive tomark the correct spot. However, adhesives also suffer from severaldrawbacks, making their use a less-than-ideal solution. For example,adhesives may leave remnant residue on the floor that can causemisalignment of machinery, as well as present a danger to machinery andpersonnel if the floor is sticky. In addition, the use of adhesives maycause bacterial or fungal growth in an otherwise sterile environment.Organism growth can cause medical complications for the patient andother personnel within the room, particularly during a surgicalprocedure. As such, adhesives used within a sterile environment can putthe patient and others at risk of infection and other diseases anddisorders.

Accordingly, what is needed is a device and method of aligning medicalequipment, allowing the equipment to be moved and repositioned during amedical procedure. However, in view of the art considered as a whole atthe time the present invention was made, it was not obvious to those ofordinary skill in the field of this invention how the shortcomings ofthe prior art could be overcome.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The long-standing but heretofore unfulfilled need for a wheel alignmentguide for use with medical equipment in an operation room is now met bya new, useful, and nonobvious invention.

The novel structure includes a body made of a flexible material, such asstatic cling vinyl. The body includes a top side opposite a bottom side,with the top and bottom sides being separated by an outer edge. Theouter edge may taper from the bottom side to the top side, such that thebottom side has a greater surface area than the top side. The bottomside is configured to rest on a ground surface. In an embodiment, thebottom side securely couples to the ground surface via an electrostaticconnection. Alternatively, the bottom side includes a magnetic orelectric charge, forming a connection with a complementary charge on theground surface.

The body includes an opening extending therethrough from the top side tothe bottom side. The opening is cross-shaped, including a first portionthat is perpendicular to a second portion. The first and second portionsintersect at their respective midpoints, forming a cross-shape. Thefirst and second portions are connected through a plurality of concaveinterior edges on the body.

A slit is disposed within the body and extends therethrough from the topside to the bottom side. The slit forms a channel with one of the firstportion and the second portion of the opening. The body is adapted toseparate at the slit, such that first member and second member of thebody are formed separated by the slit. The first and second members areconfigured to receive oppositely-directed forces, which expand a widthof the slit, such that the width of the slit is greater than a width ofa wheel of a medical device.

The slit thereby creates a passageway for the wheel of a medical device.The width of the slit is configured to expand, making the width of theslit greater than the width of the wheel. The slit thereby enables thewheel alignment guide to be deployed around the wheel. In the deployedconfiguration, the opening receives the wheel, after the wheel passesthrough the slit. One of the first and second portions of the openingreceives the wheel, and the wheel is capable of rotatably translatingwithin the opening between the first and second portions. The pluralityof concave interior edges allow the wheel to pivot without obstructionbetween the first and second portions.

A novel method of aligning a wheel of a medical device includes the stepof positioning a medical device on a ground surface. The medical deviceincludes at least one wheel in communication with the ground surface.The wheel allows the medical device to translate along the groundsurface.

The method next includes the step of surrounding the wheel with a wheelalignment guide. The wheel alignment guide is adapted to separate at theslit, whereby the slit has a width that is greater than a width of thewheel. The slit is in communication with an opening disposed within thewheel alignment guide, with the slit creating a passage for the wheel toenter the opening. The opening is cross-shaped and is partially definedby a plurality of concave interior edges on the wheel alignment guide.After the opening of the wheel alignment guide receives the wheel, thewheel alignment guide is disposed on the ground surface. The methodincludes the step of pivoting the wheel between a first and a secondportion of the opening. The wheel is capable of pivoting withoutobstruction as a result of the plurality of concave interior edges.

In a further step, the medical device is translated along the groundsurface in a direction away from the wheel alignment guide. The wheelalignment guide remains at its original position. After translating themedical device away from the wheel alignment guide, the medical deviceis repositioned within the wheel alignment guide. During this step, thewheel of the medical device is disposed within the opening of the wheelalignment guide, thereby returning the medical device to its initial anddesired position.

An object of the invention is to provide visual identification of thecorrect placement of a medical device. The invention utilizes a novelwheel alignment guide that eliminates the need to use inefficientmarkers or potentially-harmful adhesives. Using the wheel alignmentguide allows for the repositioning of the medical device, improving theefficiency and safety of a medical procedure.

These and other important objects, advantages, and features of theinvention will become clear as this disclosure proceeds.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction,combination of elements, and arrangement of parts that will beexemplified in the disclosure set forth hereinafter and the scope of theinvention will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference should be made tothe following detailed description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wheel alignment guide used incombination with a medical device having a wheel, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the wheel alignment guide of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the wheel alignment guide of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart diagram describing a method of aligning a wheelof a medical device, in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments,reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a partthereof, and within which are shown by way of illustration specificembodiments by which the invention may be practiced. It is to beunderstood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changesmay be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singularforms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the contentclearly dictates otherwise. As used in this specification and theappended claims, the term “or” is generally employed in its senseincluding “and/or” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The present invention includes a wheel alignment guide and methods ofuse. The wheel alignment guide is configured to rest on a ground surfaceand provide a stationary visual indicator for the positioning of amedical device. In addition, the wheel alignment guide is adapted to aidin the repositioning of the medical device such that a position can bereplicated after the medical device has been moved. The wheel alignmentguide allows a medical professional to move a medical device away from apatient, and later accurately replicate the original position of themedical device, eliminating the need for inefficient markers andpotentially-dangerous adhesives.

As shown in FIG. 1, an embodiment of wheel alignment guide 100, adaptedto be used in combination with medical device 10, is shown in detail.Medical device 10 includes at least one wheel 20, and is configured totranslate along a ground surface via wheel 20. Wheel 20 is actuated byhandle 30, with handle 30 configured to rotatably translate wheel 20with respect to the ground surface. The rotational translation of wheel20 is generally denoted as reference numeral 40. Medical device 10 isdepicted as a fluoroscopy machine, however, it is appreciated that othermovable devices may be used in combination with wheel alignment guide100.

Wheel alignment guide 100 includes body 105, which includes opening 110and slit 120. Opening 110 is adapted to receive wheel 20 of medicaldevice 10, as shown in FIG. 1. As such, wheel alignment guide 100 isconfigured to surround wheel 20 of medical device 10. Wheel alignmentguide 100 thereby is adapted to serve as a visual indicator for aposition of medical device 10. For example, if medical device 10 isaxially translated along the ground surface, medical device 10 can berepositioned in its original position by disposing wheel 20 withinopening 110 of wheel alignment guide 100.

Body 105 of wheel alignment guide 100 is made of a material that iscapable of being sterilized for use within an operating room. In anembodiment, wheel alignment guide 100 is packaged in a sterile,single-use, disposable packaging prior to being used in the operatingroom. The material of wheel alignment guide 100 is flexible, allowingbody 105 to bend and deform about opening 110. To aid in thedeformation, wheel alignment guide 100 includes slit 120 disposed withinbody 105. Slit 120 separates first member 105 a from second member 105 bof body 105 (the relationship between slit 120 and first and secondmember 105 a, 105 b is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 2-3). Slit 120is in communication with opening 110, creating a channel between opening110 and the environment exterior to wheel alignment guide 100. Slit 120is thereby a passageway for wheel 20. During deployment of wheelalignment guide 100, oppositely-directed forces are applied onto firstmember 105 a and second member 105 b of body 105 to expand the width ofslit 120. As such, the width of slit 120 is greater than the width ofwheel 20, thereby enabling wheel alignment guide 100 to be deployedaround wheel 20. In the deployed configuration, opening 110 receiveswheel 20, after wheel 20 passes through slit 120.

Wheel alignment guide 100 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 2, whichrepresents a bottom plan view. Body 105 of wheel alignment guide 100includes bottom side 210. Bottom side 210 is configured to rest on aground surface when wheel alignment guide 100 is in use. It is importantthat wheel alignment guide 100 remains substantially stationary on theground surface, since wheel alignment guide 100 is used to accuratelyalign medical device 10. If wheel alignment guide 100 translates alongthe ground surface, it will be difficult to correctly align medicaldevice 10. Accordingly, in an embodiment, bottom side 210 includes acharge that is adapted to form a connection with a complementary chargeof the ground surface. For example, the charge may be a magnetic chargethat is adapted to magnetically couple with a corresponding magnetdisposed on or within the ground surface. Alternatively, the charge maybe an electric charge that is adapted to electrically couple with acorresponding charge of the ground surface. In an alternativeembodiment, bottom side 210 is made of a static cling vinyl materialthat is adapted to securely couple to the ground surface. The staticcling vinyl material allows bottom side 210 to adhere to the groundsurface via electrostatic forces, rather than adhesives. It isappreciated that alternative materials may be used to form bottom side210, so long as the materials are adapted to form a connection with theground surface. Regardless of the method, bottom side 210 rests on andsecures to the ground surface to maintain a chosen position of wheelalignment guide 100.

Opening 110 is also shown in greater detail in FIG. 2. Opening 110 isshown as being cross-shaped, including first portion 220 and secondportion 230. First portion 220 and second portion 230 intersect at theirrespective midpoints to from the cross-shape. First and second portions220, 230 are each sized to receive wheel 20 of medical device 10.Opening 110 is partially defined by a plurality of concave interioredges 240 a, 240 b, 240 c, 240 d, each of which is disposed adjacent toboth first and second portions 220, 230. Thus, first and second portions220, 230 are connected through the plurality of concave interior edges240 a-d. Opening 110 is in communication with the environment exteriorto wheel alignment guide 100 through slit 120, which forms a channelbetween the exterior environment and opening 110. FIG. 2 depicts slit120 being in communication with first portion 220; however, it isappreciated that slit 120 may alternatively be in communication withsecond portion 230, or with one of the plurality of concave interioredges 240 a-d. Moreover, FIG. 2 depicts slit 120 as an air-spacedisposed within body 105, separating first member 105 a and secondmember 105 b of body 105. However, it is appreciated that first member105 a and second member 105 b may be disposed substantially adjacent toone another, such that slit 120 is not noticeable until body 105 isdeformed and first and second members 105 a, 105 b are separated fromeach other. Additionally, while FIG. 2 depicts one slit 120 disposedwithin body 105, it is appreciated that more than one slit 120 may beformed within body 105 and in communication with opening 110.

In use, opening 110 is configured to receive wheel 20 of medical device30 within one of first portion 220 and second portion 230. For example,FIG. 1 depicts wheel 20 being disposed within first portion 220.However, opening 110 is designed to allow for the rotational translationof wheel 20 within opening 110. Wheel 20 can be pivoted between beingdisposed within first portion 220 and second portion 230. The pluralityof concave interior edges 240 a-d are sized, shaped, and positioned toallow wheel 20 to pivot between first portion 220 and second portion230. The plurality of concave interior edges 240 a-d thereby provide andpath via which wheel 20 can rotatably translate between first and secondportions 220, 230, without obstacle or interruption. Such an unimpededpath is an important feature of wheel alignment guide 100, because anobstacle could make medical device 10 unstable and prone to tipping.

Turning now to FIG. 3, wheel alignment guide 100 is shown in a top-sideperspective view. Body 105 of wheel alignment guide 100 includes topside 310, which is opposite bottom side 210 (shown in FIG. 2 anddescribed above). FIG. 3 shows that opening 110 is a through openingwithin body 105. Similarly, slit 120 is a through opening within body105. Accordingly, wheel alignment guide 100 can receive wheel 20 bywrapping around and surrounding wheel 20 through slit 120 and opening110, without obstruction from an intermediary material.

FIG. 3 depicts top side 310 and bottom side 210 having substantiallyidentical surface areas, with top and bottom sides 310, 210 beingseparated by edge 320. Medical device 10 can translate along the groundsurface and overcome edge 320 and top side 310 to dispose wheel 20within opening 110, similar to a vehicle overcoming a speed bump.However, it is appreciated that top side 310 may have a smaller surfacearea than bottom side 210. Accordingly, edge 320 may be tapered frombottom side 210 to top side 310, such that the surface area of top side310 is smaller than that of bottom side 210 by a factor determined bythe taper. The use of a tapered edge 320 may facilitate the translationof medical device 10, since wheel 20 would have a shortened distance toovercome edge 320.

Referring now to FIG. 4, in conjunction with FIGS. 1-3, an exemplaryprocess-flow diagram is provided, depicting a method of aligning a wheelof a medical device. The steps delineated in the exemplary process-flowdiagram of FIG. 4 are merely exemplary of an order of aligning a wheelof a medical device. The steps may be carried out in another order, withor without additional steps included therein.

The method of aligning a wheel of a medical device begins at step 400,during which medical device 10 is positioned on a ground surface.Medical device 10 includes at least one wheel 20, allowing medicaldevice 10 to be translated along the ground surface. As such, a medicalprofessional can move medical device 10 around an operating room.

The positioning of medical device 10 is often integral to the success ofa medical procedure. For example, if medical device 10 is a fluoroscopymachine, the angle of the machine in relation to the patient is a vitalcomponent of the medical procedure. Depending on the requirements of aparticular medical procedure, or the varying body characteristicsbetween patients, medical device 10 may be moved away from its initialposition. Failure to replicate the initial position after medical device10 has been moved can cause a failure of the procedure, or medicalcomplications. Accordingly, step 410 includes surrounding wheel 20 ofmedical device 10 with wheel alignment guide 100. To deploy wheelalignment guide 100, a user applies oppositely-directed forces ontofirst and second members 105 a, 105 b of body 105. The application ofthe oppositely-directed forces extends the width of slit 120, such thatthe width of slit 120 is greater than the width of wheel 20, therebyenabling deployment of wheel alignment guide 100. In the deployedconfiguration, one of first portion 220 and second portion 230 ofopening 110 is longitudinally-aligned with wheel 20. Next, the methodproceeds to step 420, which includes disposing wheel 20 within opening120. Slit 120 creates a passageway for wheel 20. Opening 110 receiveswheel 20 after wheel 20 passes through the passageway created by slit120.

After surrounding wheel 20 with wheel alignment guide 100, the methodproceeds to step 430, during which wheel alignment guide 100 is disposedon the ground surface. Wheel alignment guide 100 thereby serves as avisual indication of the desired position of medical device 10, in theevent that medical device 10 is translated away from the desiredposition. Wheel alignment guide 100 secures to the ground surface duringstep 430, making it difficult to inadvertently disconnect wheelalignment guide 100 from the ground surface. For example, if wheelalignment guide 100 is made of a static cling vinyl material, wheelalignment guide 100 forms an adhesive-like relationship with the groundsurface via an electrostatic connection. Alternatively, wheel alignmentguide 100 may form an electric or magnetic connection with acomplementary charge on the ground surface.

The method may then proceed to step 440, during which wheel 20 ispivoted within wheel alignment guide 100. Depending on the requirementsof the medical procedure, it may be desirable to orient wheel 20 in adirection parallel to handle 30, or perpendicular to handle 30. Bypivoting wheel 20 to different orientations, medical device 10 may betranslated in different directions. Due to the plurality of concaveinterior edges 240 a-d discussed above, wheel alignment guide 100facilitates the pivoting of wheel 20 between orientations.

During step 450, medical device 10 is translated away from wheelalignment guide 100. As discussed above, it may be necessary to movemedical device 10 away from its desired position. For example, a surgeonmay require access to a patient that is blocked by the desired positionof medical device 10. Alternatively, the area around medical device 10may require cleaning between medical procedures. In such a situation, itis desirable to move medical device 10 away from wheel alignment guide100, with wheel alignment guide 100 remaining in the desired position.Accordingly, during step 460, wheel 20 is repositioned within wheelalignment guide 100 in the desired position of medical device 10. Instep 460, a user translates medical device 10 toward wheel alignmentguide 100, which remains located in its initial position throughout themedical procedure. Wheel alignment guide 100 receives wheel 20 ofmedical device 10, thereby repositioning wheel 20 within wheel alignmentguide 100, returning medical device 10 to its initial and desiredlocation. Wheel alignment guide 100 thereby ensures that medical device10 is correctly repositioned, increasing the likelihood success of themedical procedure.

It is appreciated that alternative embodiments of wheel alignment guide100 may be used as visual indicators for the placement of non-medicaldevices. For example, wheel alignment guide 100 may be used toefficiently store and item within an enclosed space, such as a garage,such that the item can easily be restored to a desired position.Similarly, wheel alignment guide 100 may be used with a device that doesnot include traditional wheels, so long as the device is movable. Forexample, an operating table including stationary legs may need to beplaced in a particular spot within an operating room. Accordingly, wheelalignment guide 100 may be used to surround a stationary leg on thetable to provide a visual indication of the current placement of thetable.

Glossary of Claim Terms

Charge: is a physical property of a material that causes the material toexperience a force when disposed proximate to a complementary charge.For example, a charge may be an electrostatic charge, electric charge,or magnetic charge.

Flexible: as used herein, “flexible” means capable of bending or foldingwithout breaking.

Ground surface: is a surface upon which human beings can stand andequipment can rest. For example, a ground surface may be a floor of anoperating room.

Medical device: is an apparatus or machine used in furtherance or aid ofa medical procedure. For example, a medical device may be a fluoroscopymachine used to scan a patient during surgery.

Static cling vinyl: is a vinyl material capable of coupling to a surfacevia an electrostatic charge.

Taper: as used herein, “taper” means to gradually become smaller towardan end.

Wheel: is a substantially rounded structure capable of lateraltranslation along a ground surface. The wheel may be a swivel caster,rigid caster, alloy wheel, bicycle wheel, omni wheel, or the like, andmay be made of plastic, rubber, cast iron, aluminum, stainless steel,polyurethane, or any other material capable of lateral translation.

The advantages set forth above, and those made apparent from theforegoing description, are efficiently attained. Since certain changesmay be made in the above construction without departing from the scopeof the invention, it is intended that all matters contained in theforegoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended tocover all of the generic and specific features of the invention hereindescribed, and all statements of the scope of the invention that, as amatter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wheel alignment guide comprising: a body havinga top side opposite a bottom side, the bottom side configured to rest ona ground surface, the body including an opening extending therethroughfrom the top side to the bottom side; the opening being cross-shaped,including a first portion perpendicular to a second portion, the firstand second portions intersecting at their respective midpoints, thefirst and second portions connected through a pair ofdiametrically-opposed concave interior edges on the body; wherein theopening is configured to receive a wheel of a medical device within oneof the first portion and the second portion; and wherein the concaveinterior edges are adapted to allow the wheel of the medical device topivot between the first portion of the opening and the second portion ofthe opening.
 2. The wheel alignment guide of claim 1, wherein: the bodyis of a flexible static cling vinyl material that is adapted to securelycouple to the ground surface via an electrostatic connection.
 3. Thewheel alignment guide of claim 1, further comprising: a slit disposedwithin the body and extending therethrough from the top side to thebottom side, the slit forming a channel with the opening.
 4. The wheelalignment guide of claim 3, wherein: the body is adapted to separate atthe slit, wherein the slit is configured to permit the wheel of themedical device to pass therethrough, thereby enabling the wheel to enterthe opening.
 5. The wheel alignment guide of claim 1, wherein: at leastone of the first portion and the second portion of the opening is sizedto receive the wheel of the medical device.
 6. The wheel alignment guideof claim 1, wherein: the body includes an outer edge that tapers fromthe bottom side to the top side, such that the bottom side has a greatersurface area than the top side.
 7. The wheel alignment guide of claim 1,wherein: the bottom side of the body has a charge, the bottom side beingadapted to form a connection with a complementary charge of the groundsurface.
 8. The wheel alignment guide of claim 7, wherein: the charge isa magnetic charge, and the bottom side is adapted to magnetically couplewith a corresponding magnet on the ground surface.
 9. The wheelalignment guide of claim 7, wherein: the charge is an electric charge,and the bottom side is adapted to electrically couple with the groundsurface.
 10. A wheel alignment guide comprising: a body having a topside opposite a bottom side, the bottom side configured to rest on aground surface, the body including an opening extending therethroughfrom the top side to the bottom side, the opening configured to receivea wheel of a medical device; and a slit disposed within the body andextending therethrough from the top side to the bottom side, the slit incommunication with the opening, thereby permitting the wheel the passthrough the slit and enabling the opening to receive the wheel
 11. Thewheel alignment guide of claim 10, wherein: the opening is cross-shaped,including a first portion perpendicular to a second portion, the firstand second portions intersecting at their respective midpoints, thefirst and second portions connected through a pair ofdiametrically-opposed concave interior edges on the body; whereby theconcave interior edges are adapted to allow the wheel of the medicaldevice to pivot between the first portion of the opening and the secondportion of the opening.
 12. The wheel alignment guide of claim 10,wherein: the body is adapted to separate at the slit into a first memberand a second member, the first and second members configured to receiveoppositely-directed forces, thereby expanding a width of the slit, suchthat the width of the slit is greater than a width of the wheel.
 13. Amethod of aligning a wheel of a medical device, the method comprising:providing a medical device disposed on a ground surface, the medicaldevice having at least one wheel in communication with the groundsurface; surrounding the at least one wheel of the medical device with awheel alignment guide by passing the at least one wheel through a slitdisposed within the wheel alignment guide, the slit creating a passageto a cross-shaped opening disposed within the wheel alignment guide, theopening including a first portion perpendicular to a second portion, thefirst and second portions connected through a plurality of concaveinterior edges on the wheel alignment guide; receiving the at least onewheel within the opening; and disposing the wheel alignment guide on theground surface.
 14. The method of aligning a wheel of a medical deviceof claim 10, wherein: the at least one wheel is disposed within one ofthe first portion and the second portion of the opening.
 15. The methodof aligning a wheel of a medical device of claim 11, further comprisingthe step of: pivoting the at least one wheel from being disposed withinone of the first and second portion to being disposed within the otherof the first and second portion, the at least one wheel translatingalong at least two of the plurality of concave interior edges on thewheel alignment guide during the pivoting step.
 16. The method ofaligning a wheel of a medical device of claim 10, further comprising thesteps of: translating the medical device along the ground surface in adirection away from the wheel alignment guide; and after translating themedical device away from the wheel alignment guide, repositioning themedical device within the wheel alignment guide by disposing the atleast one wheel within the opening of the wheel alignment guide.
 17. Themethod of aligning a wheel of a medical device of claim 13, wherein: thewheel alignment guide includes a body having a top side opposite abottom side, the opening extending through the body from the top side tothe bottom side, the body including an outer edge that tapers from thebottom side to the top side, such that the bottom side has a greatersurface area than the top side; and during the repositioning step, theat least one wheel contacts the bottom side of the body, and translatesalong the tapered outer edge to the top side of the body, before beingdisposed within the opening.
 18. The method of aligning a wheel of amedical device of claim 10, wherein: the wheel alignment guide is of aflexible static cling vinyl material; and during the step of disposingthe wheel alignment guide on the ground surface, the wheel alignmentguide forms an electrostatic with the ground surface via the staticcling vinyl material.
 19. The method of aligning a wheel of a medicaldevice of claim 10, wherein: during the step of disposing the wheelalignment guide on the ground surface, the wheel alignment guide forms amagnetic connection with a complementary magnet disposed on the groundsurface.
 20. The method of aligning a wheel of a medical device of claim10, wherein: during the step of disposing the wheel alignment guide onthe ground surface, the wheel alignment guide from an electricalconnection with a complementary charge within the ground surface.